Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, December 1, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent Sunday, also called Advent Sunday. It marks the beginning of the new Church Year and the Season of Advent, a season of preparation in which Christians get ready to celebrate the birth of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and look forward to the day of his promised second coming.

The apostle Paul’s letters are dotted with prayers and thanksgivings. In this Sunday’s message we unpack one of his prayers.

Readings: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; and Luke 21: 25-36

Message: A Prayer from the Heart

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-december.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

 

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Is Christianity on the Cusp of Resurgence?' And More

Is Christianity on the Cusp of Resurgence?

Recently there have been signs of growing cultural interest in Christianity. I’ve written about some of this interest myself at Christianity Today.

7 Strategies + Ways to Grow Your Church
How can you grow your church? Discover and eliminate the barriers that keep your church from growing. Whether you're a church planter or pastor of a 30-year-old church, these 7 strategies for church growth can be implemented in your church.

Alpha Jesus and the Bro-ing of the American Church
Exploring the rise of “alpha male” Christianity with Katelyn Beaty, co-host of Saved by the City, as Gen Z men flock to evangelical churches and women leave in record numbers.

While Amanda Henderson's reaction of apparent amusement in response to a number of Katelyn Beaty's observations struck me as inappropriate in a discussion of such an important subject, Katelyn Beatty's observations merit attention, particular what she said about how some pastors are presenting Jesus as someone who at times resorted to physical violence. In Jesus' time, a whip fashioned from knotted cord was used to drive livestock. This reimaging of Jesus resembles the Jesus the warrior reimaging of Christian nationalists and is not an accurate representation of the Jesus of the New Testament.

. Who was St Andrew and why is he patron saint of Scotland?
The 30th November is St Andrew's day. Who was St Andrew and why is he patron saint of Scotland? This is the story....

James Isn’t as Strange as You Think
The letter of James can be a disorienting book. It sounds so different from other parts of the Bible, and we may not understand how it fits within our theological system. Yet if we know what to look for, we’ll find familiar biblical “faces” that help us get our bearings and navigate James’s five chapters.

The Nine-Year Mark of Tenure as a Pastor (Here’s What I’ve Learned)
What changes after leading a church once you hit the nine-year mark? Sam shares his insight about shepherding the same congregation for several years. The issue of trust is settled. The sheep shuffling slows down or stops. Casting a vision becomes more challenging, not easier, because it’s easy to start cruising when a church is stabilized.

How Do Pastors Recover When Something Unexpected, Funny, or Even Tragic Happens During a Worship Service? There are 375,000 churches in America that have approximately 26 million worship services a year. Something unexpected is likely to happen every week. And the unexpected does indeed happen. Jess and Thom share some of those stories and tell how pastors respond (or should respond). At the end of the podcast is their favorite on video.

A Few Thoughts On Picking Songs For The Church
As the music coordinator at our church, I submit a list of songs to our elders yearly to be included in our song list. Someone recently asked me how I pick the songs to submit to our elders, and I wrote out a list of things I consider when picking the songs.

Friday's Catch: 'The Church As A Community of Gratitude' And More

The Church As A Community of Gratitude
“In response to Christ’s exaltation, the church is a glad community,” writes Oliver O’Donovan in “The Desire of the Nations.” How could it be otherwise? Christ’s exaltation consists in his resurrection from the dead, defeat of the last enemy Death, ascension to his rightful throne where he now reigns as King over all, and promised return to consummate what the resurrection inaugurated.

Embrace Giving in Your Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, as you sit with loved ones, consider ways to embrace the “giving” spirit of the holiday. Here are a few ideas to spark conversations and inspire generosity....

Gratitude-inspired action is not something that need be limited to particular season or occasion.

The truth about religious disaffiliation depends on a long view, according to BYU researchers
A new report by Wheatley scholars at BYU encourages humility, hope and compassion for the many complexities influencing evolving faith over time.

Lord Harries on George Herbert in Advent
Barbara White recommends Richard Harries Wounded I Sing as an Advent devotional.

3 benefits of writing your prayers
Aaron Armstrong shares three benefits of writing your prayers.

The New Year Is Time for Goal Oriented Groups
There are three tips that I have found to be helpful for growing and strengthening our small groups, especially when a new year is right around the corner....

See also: Top 10 Ideas for a First Small Group Meeting and Reading the Bible Together in Small Groups

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, November 28, 2024) Is Now Online

 Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This Thursday falls on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. For many Americans Thanksgiving Day centers on gathering with family and friends and sharing a meal. Couples may visit one set of parents on Thanksgiving Day and the other set of parents on Christmas Day.

Thanksgiving Day is also a day for being mindful of the many mercies, great and small, that God has shown us in the past year and during our lifetime and to give heart-felt thanks to the One who has shown us such mercies.

In this evening’s message we consider several important biblical truths about thanksgiving in the life of a Christian.

Readings: Joel 2:21-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Message: Something to Chew On

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_28.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday' Catch: 'On Thanksgiving, Go Beyond Gratitude' And More

On Thanksgiving, Go Beyond Gratitude
Biblical thanksgiving goes beyond gratitude because it goes beyond the gift. It leads us to surrender ourselves to the Giver.

3 Powerful Effects of Thankfulness to God
Gratitude is a choice, a God-honoring choice. We see this reflected in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Give Thanks in the Worst of Times
The thought of giving thanks in these times is difficult for many. Yet this is exactly what we’re called to do. More than that, it’s what we need to do. Why? Not because of what we’re going through but because God is good, even in the worst of it.

Anyone Can Be a Prayer Warrior
No one has a “special anointing” of the Holy Spirit that sets them apart from others in the area of prayer. Rather, every Christian should be a prayer warrior. This is the truth of the matter.

Building a Culture of Prayer
Prayer isn’t an add-on to your church’s ministry. It’s the core of what you do.

How Captions Are Key to Engaging Younger Generations and Boosting Attendance in Churches
In today’s world defined by constant digital engagement, younger generations increasingly rely on captions and subtitles to enhance their viewing experience. This trend, largely popularized by Gen Z and Millennials, isn’t just limited to streaming shows or watching social media content; it’s spilling over into live events, with a strong case for captions as a way to boost engagement and attendance in venues, such as churches, that historically may have overlooked them.

Prayer Object Lesson for Sunday School: What’s in the Middle?
Enjoy using this simple but powerful prayer object lesson. It will work in your children’s ministry classrooms, at children’s church, and in small groups.

Challenges for Youth Group Leaders: How To Navigate Obstacles
Challenges for youth group leaders come from many angles. Yes, youth ministry is incredibly rewarding. But you’ll need to balance administrative tasks, teen angst, parents, and more. Let’s look at some challenges for youth group leaders. Then we’ll consider how to address them with grace and God’s help.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Low-Tide Evangelism' And More

Low-Tide Evangelism
"Ultimately, the tide will turn—at some point. One day, the knowledge of God will flood the earth “as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). And we might well see revival in the West in our lifetime...."

Responding to the militarization of immigration policy
"The church must now confront the tension between political support and moral responsibility...While Christians are called to respect governing authorities, this does not mean blind allegiance.

Meddling with Methodism and domesticating the Baptists
American religious historian Nathan Hatch famously argued that when you scratch beneath the surface of piety and polity that distinguishes them, Baptists and Methodists are actually more alike than they appear because the same cultural forces of democratic populism shaped both movements. Even still, encounters between 19th-century Methodist circuit riders and Baptist farmer preachers often were contentious.

Cultivating Gratitude: A Spiritual Reflection on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is more than a national holiday; it is a spiritual practice celebrating God’s abundance and expressing gratitude for all that God provides. Lewis Center Associate Director Jessica Anschutz reflects on the spiritual significance of Thanksgiving and practical ways to cultivate gratitude in our daily lives.

Cultivate Generosity through Thankful Living
Sharron Blezard emphasizes fostering a lifestyle of gratitude, or “thanksliving,” in both individual and congregational practices. She encourages creative, intentional ways to inspire deeper discipleship and transformative stewardship by instilling gratitude, generosity and faith by cultivating awareness of God’s abundance, sharing stories of impact, and living boldly.

11 Most Popular Bible Verses at Thanksgiving
Many look to Bible verses, particularly in Psalms, to help them express their gratitude and thankfulness around Thanksgiving.

Signing church services for the Deaf is a work of love — and a willingness to learn the Bible
'One missed sign or one missed concept can prevent others from working out their service salvation on that day', said Bronte Stewart, who founded an ASL interpretation program at her church in 2014.

This Thanksgiving Invite International Students into Your Home
Opportunities to share the gospel and invite non-believers to observe your life in Christ aren’t hard to find.

Tuesday's Catch: 'The Gift of Small Ministry' And More

The Gift of Small Ministry

Whether a church is large or small, in all actuality, tells us very little about how well a church is forming faithful Christians and helping people discover their own vocation and engage meaningfully in the communities in which they live and work.

Australian Anglicans Take the Church to the People
While a church’s presence in a community is a witness to the people who meet, learn, and pray there, maintaining a church building has never been easy. Declining congregations in Australia have meant more buildings have been sold off.

TEC’s Latest Numbers: The Good News and the Bad News
Given the doleful statistical tidings the Episcopal Church has faced in recent years, it is understandable that there is quiet satisfaction at the latest data. In 2023, average Sunday attendance rose by 37,000, compared to 2022. This is good news — and a number of other metrics reinforce this picture. But one year’s positive data doesn’t mean revival. This article looks at the longer-term picture, which makes clear the challenges that TEC faces have not gone away.

The Critical First 90 Days at a New Church
The first 90 days are critical when making a pastoral transition to a new church. Since he just transitioned to a new church, Josh shares some insight into what to do and what not to do. Slow down, ask questions, prioritize problems, emphasize learning, and listen to all sides.

You Must Be Baptized to Receive the Lord's Supper
Why do the vast majority of Christian churches, including Reformed churches, require those coming to the Lord’s Table to first be baptized?

Getting Your Sermon Ready
What are your rhythms for sermon preparation? How should this be prioritized alongside other responsibilities? How can you grow more efficient and effective while remaining faithful to the task?

I’ve Preached 100s of Sermons and Learned This
After preaching hundreds of sermons, I've realized that I still have so much more to learn. But along the way, I've discovered some powerful preaching lessons. And in this video, I share 40 of them with you – in 18 minutes. Let's get started.

Teach Your Kids God is Good All the Time
As parents (or grandparents), we must teach our children the fundamental truths about God for two overarching reasons.

Monday's Catch: '5 Church Attendance Statistics Every Church Leader Needs to Understand in 2025' And More

5 Church Attendance Statistics Every Church Leader Needs to Understand in 2025

As every church leader knows, what’s happening in your church is, to some extent, a reflection of what’s going on in the culture. And when it comes to church attendance statistics and patterns, culture is changing rapidly. As every church leader knows, what’s happening in your church is, to some extent, a reflection of what’s going on in the culture. And when it comes to church attendance statistics and patterns, culture is changing rapidly.

If I Had to Choose Five Church Metrics to Measure and Follow...
Thom Rainr weighs in on what metrics that he would recommend to help keep a pastor informed and diligent.

7 Ways to Foster a Grateful Church
Does a season of thanksgiving feel out of place in your church? Here are a few suggestions for fostering a grateful church all year round.

Does James Contradict Paul?
No Christian denies that justification is by faith. That is an obvious biblical teaching. The controversy is about whether justification is by faith alone (sola fide).

The Book of Common Prayer – It’s UN-Common!
How long have God’s people been debating about the language and order of worship? Almost as long as we’ve been gathering for prayer and praise.

Start With A Bang! Open Your Sermon Strong
A preacher's worst fear is that the congregation will stop listening. What's far more dreadful is if the people never were listening in the first place.

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know
"I have been a Christian for over 25 years, and God has had to redirect me on multiple things because of what I mistakenly believed early on about being a Christian. And it is better to learn sooner than later."

The Increasing Value of Christian Testimonies
There are various ways we might seek to commend the gospel to people today. But one of the best, in that it addresses questions of both relevance and goodness, is to share our testimony. This includes recounting how and why we came to faith in Jesus, how this changed our life for the better and how God has helped us in some particular situation. We might even speak about how we have wrestled and come to terms with some difficult aspect of Christian teaching.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, November 24, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Sunday before Advent is designated “Christ the King Sunday” in a number of denominations. On this Sunday Christ’s kingship over all creation is recognized, affirmed, and celebrated. In Anglican churches this Sunday is also known as “Stir-Up Sunday,” so named after the collect appointed for the Sunday before Advent in the older Anglican service books.

“Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord,
the wills of thy faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may of thee be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

In this Sunday’s message we consider the implications of the kingship of Christ.

Readings: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1: 4b-8; and John 18: 33-37

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-november_23.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: "'Exploring the Future of the Church Together' featuring Dustin Benac" And More

“Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac
How can the church adapt to future challenges and foster community through innovative leadership? In this episode Doug Powe and Dustin Benac discuss the future of the church, emphasizing collaborative leadership, the importance of belonging, and adapting to cultural shifts through innovative community structures.

Things to Consider When Relocating Your Church Facility – Part 1: Is Your Church Really Ready for Relocation?
Thom is joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this first episode, we discuss what qualifies a church for relocation and why you need to prove with data that you can’t stay on the site.

See Also: Part 2: Moving Your Church to Another Building and Part 3: Starting All Over–New Property, New Building

How Did Abortion Ballot Initiatives Impact the Presidential Vote in 2024?
In the Dobbs decision, the Supreme Court essentially turned the question of abortion regulation back to the states. That means that the ballot initiative/referendum has become the instrument through which states can set limits (or not) on abortion access. And in total, ten states had a ballot measure that directly dealt with the issue of abortion in 2024. So, here’s my question - how much was Trump’s vote share correlated with those abortion measures?

No Good Deed You’ve Done Will Remain Hidden
In theological circles that stress the pervasiveness of sin, we’re often told we’re more sinful than we realize. We can’t comprehend the extent of sin’s effects: its parasitic attachment to whatever good we do, its potential to taint even the purest of motives, the way it fractures shalom in the tiniest of ways, the resistance of sin’s rebellious heart toward God, or the sly and insidious actions motivated by a quiet fear of people.

Gifting is Not Godliness
Learning how to communicate and deliver a powerful sermon is not holiness. Sometimes, it is the effective cover utilized to pursue a life of ungodliness and rebellion. It is possible to become a gifted religious shopkeeper who has learned the evangelical business and now sees themselves as above those consumers to whom they preach.

The Status Quo Every Sermon Should Break
The truth is that our entire world is upside down. Every cell in this universe is corrupted by the fall.

Friday's Catch: 'From Blue Light to Black Out' And More

From Blue Light to Black Out
...what led to Kmart eventually filing for bankruptcy in 2002 and again in 2018, and now closing its last remaining store? Yes, there were some failed acquisitions, but mostly it was due to three things that can lead any enterprise – including a church – to go from blue-light special to black-out demise.

Ten wayfinding points for post-election disciples
Perhaps it’s been long enough now — long enough for many of us to begin moving forward after the surprising presidential election results. What’s your spiritual process been so far?

The Fog of Missions
The Church’s engagement in missions is 2000 years old. However, serious theological reflection on the matter has yet to reach the century mark. Zeal for the matters of the Lord and His Kingdom is important. But zeal without knowledge not not a good thing and the one who makes haste with his or her feet misses the way (Prov 19:2). We have gone into the world, made disciples, planted churches, and developed leaders, but frequently have done so on shallow theological foundations. A robust exegetical theology is not widespread throughout the world in general, and the West in particular. The result is a fog of confusion that surrounds the work of the Church in the last days. We are in the fog of missions.

The true reason for the first Thanksgiving is just as relevant today
In a 2019 article published by The New Yorker, “The Invention of Thanksgiving,” historian Philip Deloria explains, “The first Thanksgiving was not a ‘thanksgiving,’ in Pilgrim terms, but a ‘rejoicing.’ An actual giving of thanks required fasting and quiet contemplation; a rejoicing featured feasting, drinking, militia drills, target practice and contests of strength and speed. It was a party, not a prayer, and was full of people shooting at things.”

Watts & Co. Turns 150, and Flexes Its Muscle
For those who are not familiar with Watts & Co., it is a London-based vestmnt maker, which has been in buiess since 1874.

See also: Vestments, Unveiled! with Robert Hoare of Watts & Co

The Kenyan Rite: A Eucharistic Service from the Anglican Church of Kenya
This rite is used in the Anglican Church of Kenya and in some ACNA churches with a Kenyan congregation.It is a good example of an indigenous African liturgy.Its eucharistic prayer is particularly interesting in that it makes provisio for greater congregational participation in the prayer and its epiclesis invokes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the congregation and not on the bread and wine.

See also: A Kenyan Service of Holy Communion, 1989

Enough With Cutesy Kids Choirs. Let the Little Ones Lead Worship.
New children’s music resources go beyond holiday performances to cultivate a deeper theology and love of singing.

If you do not have a Christianity Today account, you can bypass the subscription bar by copying the entire page and then pasting it on a blank Word page. I highly recommend reading the article.

Church Daycare 101: Reach Out To Local Children and Families
Church daycare is a proven way to meet the needs of children and families in your community. Read on to learn about launching a child-care program through your congregation.

Youth Ministry Ideas for Spiritual Growth: Ways To Nurture Teens’ Faith
Discipleship rooted in biblical truth is life-changing. So keep kids growing with these youth ministry ideas for spiritual growth.

Got an empty church lawn? Why not turn it into a dog park?
For some churches, starting a dog park turns underused church property into a place for community.

One Billion Lost Sheep
Every once in a while, you read something that stops you in your tracks.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, November 21, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

The Sunday after next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, a season of the Church Year in which Christians not only prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus but also look forward to the day of his second coming when he will return in glory.

In this Thursday evening’s message, we reflect on an important part of every Christian’s calling—being an ambassador for Jesus.

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21

Message: Jesus’ Ambassadors

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_21.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: 'Make Meaningful Connections during Advent and Christmas' And More

Make Meaningful Connections during Advent and Christmas
As the holiday season approaches, church leaders face heightened stress while preparing meaningful celebrations and making meaningful connections. Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff encourages church leaders to nurture spiritual connections, foster relationships with neighbors and guests, and actively invite people to engage in worship and ministry. Transform the season into an opportunity for deepened faith and community outreach.

Conservative Christians 'grieve' Gaetz nomination, express frustration with leaders' silence
Critics include a founder of the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel and Boz Tchividjian, grandson of famed evangelist Billy Graham.

Donald Trump's negative influence is having a baleful effect upon Christians and Christian leaders in the United States and will further damage their witness in North America and beyond. Americans also deserve to have men and women of high ethical and moral caliber in public office.

Teachers Union Lashes Out At ‘Unqualified’ Linda McMahon As Education Pick
A powerful teachers union has said Donald Trump “could not care less” about students after picking Linda McMahon for education secretary. The professional wrestling mogul, who led the Small Business Administration for two years during Trump’s first term, will be tasked with pushing through the president-elect’s hardline views of the Department of Education if she is confirmed.

Dismantling the Department of Education will put disabled, poor, and homeless children at risk, do nothing to improve the quality of education for a broad swath of the population, and will seriously weaken the nation.

Medicaid cuts in crosshairs as Trump, GOP take control
Significant cuts to Medicaid could be on the table next Congress as President-elect Trump and Republicans look for ways to offset tax cuts and streamline government spending. Republicans on Capitol Hill don’t seem thrilled with the idea, but aren’t rejecting it outright.

The incoming Trump administration represents a serious threat to health care for low income and lower middle income families.

Who Is Speaking Up for the Unborn?
Trump’s return to his long-standing pro-choice position was likely inevitable. Sometime during this year, he made the (apparently correct) assumption that he could be openly pro-abortion and yet many pro-life voters would cast their ballot for him anyway since the Democrats were even more extreme on abortion. What’s surprising, though, is the concerted lack of response by those committed to opposing abortion, especially from some of America’s most prominent pro-life organizations.

Many Americans Are More Consumers Than Contented
Most Americans have a mix of values, but around 3 in 10 are closer to either extreme—either prolific consumers or truly content.

4 Subtle Signs of Toxic Positivity in the Church
Pastors and ministry leaders might be familiar with the term “toxic positivity” or have seen it firsthand. It’s called “toxic” for a reason, but there’s more to this term than meets the eye. There could be a stealthy set of spiritual beliefs that are influencing this behavior.

5 Ways to Reach New People by Singing More Christmas Music during Advent
How can congregations reach new people by singing Christmas carols during Advent? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center Staff shares five ways to sing more Christmas carols during Advent to share the light of Christ with your community and build relationships by singing with your neighbors.

Media Producers: You Can Avoid the Church Nightmare Before Christmas
...here are a few tips from the Cooke Media Group archives as well as a teaching I’ve done on YouTube to make this Christmas season a little more jolly....

How Often Should You Provide Training for Group Leaders?
There’s a sweet spot when it comes to the frequency of providing training for your group leaders, and it may be surprising.

Small Groups in the Holidays – 5 Ways Forward
We all know that with the holidays approaching, our schedules get very busy – for everyone. However, we shouldn’t let the busy-ness stop our Small Groups from fulfilling our purposes. If we’re intentional, Thanksgiving through December can be a time full of meaningful celebrations, worship, service, learning, and outreach. (Here)...are five ways how small groups in the holidays can fulfill their purpose, despite busy schedules....

The Messages We Receive
Messages about who we are—our identity—are powerful. They can shape how we see ourselves, how we see the world, and how we see God. It is a matter that regularly comes up in counseling conversations. When people have hard experiences in their lives or have been mistreated by others, it always proves valuable to explore what messages those experiences have communicated about who they are.

What Is My Spiritual Gift? Maybe You’re Asking the Wrong Question
Many people agonize over finding their spiritual gift. The Bible, by contrast, emphasizes not self-discovery but loving service. The anxiety about discovering “my” spiritual gift fades entirely when we focus on what we can do to help build up the body of Christ.

The Secret Power of Kindness
Imagine a world where everyone is kind to one another. Don’t we all agree that the world needs more kindness? Not only does the world need more kindness, but the world would be a better place if we each displayed kindness in our daily lives.

Wednesday's Catch: '4 Priorities We Share With the Global Church' And More

4 Priorities We Share With the Global Church
While it’s important to learn from the differences between the church in the U.S. and the rest of the world, we share universal priorities.

Seven Thanksgiving Reminders
Manuel Luz shares seven Scripture passages which point us to an attitude of thanksgiving and worship to our good and gracious God.

Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed Red Letter Christian, has died
Known as a powerful evangelist and social justice preacher, Campolo had long advocated that Christian faith can transform the world — and people’s everyday lives.

Try These 5 Tips to Value Your Leadership Team
Teams that don’t feel valued often simply go through the motions which dampens motivation and decreases productivity. Great leaders pay keen attention to how valued their teams feel. Poor leaders seldom even think about it. Evaluate your leadership against these five behaviors great leaders show.

10 Mistakes I Made When Reading the Bible
Your reading experience will be far richer if you learn—as I’m doing—to avoid these common mistakes.

Your Buying Guide for Bible Study Resources: Updated for 2024
If you’re in the market for gifts to encourage Bible study, here are our top recommendations. We’ve reviewed most of these products on this site at many times and in many ways, but here they are in one place for you.

Bend the Ear of God: Three Wonders of Christian Prayer
God will not have the prevailing influence in your life if his practical means of influence mainly feel obligatory. But God himself doesn’t intend for his means to be obligations.

Pray till you Pray
I am reading the biography of the 19th Century Scottish Minister Alexander Moody Stuart*. He was part of a golden generation of Scottish Ministers which included Robert Murray McCheyne and the Bonar brothers, that did so much good for the gospel. Moody Stuart gave 3 instructions on prayer which I’ve found helpful....

College Kids and Church Membership
For many of us students, college is a time of independence. It is our first taste of wholly independent decision making, especially for those of us who move out of family homes and onto college campuses. When we move to college, what we eat, where we sleep, and how we spend our day is completely up to us. At college, there is no one to make decisions for us. No one makes us get up and go to church on Sunday morning. For Christian students at college— whether one came to college a Christian or met Christ at school— we must proactively choose to go to church and to become a part of a church family through membership.

Make the Most of Sunday Mornings
...there are many simple changes we can all make to maximize our Sundays. Consider just two.

Called beyond qualification: how God's strength shines through human weakness
God's criteria for calling people to His work defies conventional wisdom. The Bible's narrative is filled with unlikely choices - people who, by any human measure, seem ill-suited to carry out divine tasks. Yet, time and again, God's choices reveal a deep truth: His work is accomplished not through human strength or talent but through hearts aligned with His own.

How to Witness to Family Members at Thanksgiving
These are some practical ideas for what it might mean to see ourselves as sent among our relatives. These suggestions are inspired by Randy Newman’s excellent book Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well....

Tuesday's Catch: 'We’re About to See the Biggest Demographic Shift Since the Black Death' And More

We’re About to See the Biggest Demographic Shift Since the Black Death
Not since the 1300s, when the world’s population imploded due to the bubonic plague, have we faced a demographic downsizing of the magnitude projected for the century ahead. Many observers predict the global population will peak in the coming decades, with estimates ranging from 2053 to the late 2070s or 2080s, before entering a period of decline.

The Dangers of Being Future Blind
I’m not a psychologist, but I’m declaring a new malady that I’m calling Future Blind. The symptoms could apply to a great number of people, and for many it can be deadly in a variety of ways.

Ed Stetzer: The Polarization Problem
Despite the call of Christ to unity, many churches sadly reflect the polarization we see in the broader society. We must address this disconnect. To do that I want to dig deeper into the roots of polarization, its impact on the church and pastors, and some ways we can respond.

7 ways Americans who leave religion are basically pretty boring
Here are some facts you may not know about the nonreligious.

In their preaching and teaching pastors need to be careful not to perpetuate misconceptions about this segment of the US population.

Mass deportations will devastate the economy, business leaders warn
The mass deportation of immigrants promised by Donald Trump would have immediate and disastrous effects on the U.S. economy, Bob Worsley said during a virtual press briefing hosted by American Business Immigration Coalition.

A number of measures that President-Elect Donald Trump is intent upon implementing during his second term—tariffs, escalation of the trade war with China, spending cuts, further tax cuts for the wealthy will have a deleterious effect upon the economy. They will have a negative impact upon everyone except those in the upper income brackets.

Consider what happened during the first Trump presidency.  Most US farmers do not grow food crops. They grow commodity crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat for export, livestock feed, and biofuel production. Until Trump started the trade war with China, China was the primary importer of these crops from the United States. China responded by increasing its domestic production and importing corn, soybeans, and wheat from Argentina and Brazil. US commodity farmers lost an important market and became dependent upon federal government farming subsidies. 

While the United States subsidizes the growing of these commodity crops, it does not subsidize the growing of food crops. Many areas in which commodity crops are grown are not suited for the growing of food crops and farmers cannot change the crops that they grow. The United States imports 15% of its food supply, primarily fruit and vegetables, from other countries. These imports include food crops that cannot be grown in the United States. What we can anticipate during Trump’s second term is higher food prices and food shortages. 

Trump is also intent upon dismantling the US social safety net so we can also anticipate increased food insecurity and hunger. At the same time US churches can anticipate a decline in giving and an increase in the number of families and individuals in need of emergency food assistance.

Stella Immanuel is campaigning to join RFK Jr.’s team at HHS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. isn’t the only anti-vaxxer potentially headed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if President-elect Donald Trump gets his way. He could be bringing with him one of the most notorious anti-science doctors of the COVID era: Stella Immanuel.

US public health can be expected to suffer a major setback during a second Trump presidency as well as the economy. This will have ramifications for US churches too.

Former Vice President Mike Pence Urges Conservatives To Resist the ‘Siren Song of Populism’
“Today, conservatives in America are struggling with an essential question,” said former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday, Nov. 15. That question is “whether we will continue on the path of the traditional conservative agenda that has defined our party and, in so many ways, our nation throughout our history,” said Pence, “or whether our party will follow the siren song of populism unmoored to conservative principles.”

Reclaiming Compassion—A Call for the Church To Become the Good Samaritan Once Again
Who do the people in our cities look to as the Good Samaritan? The church, or the government? For much of history, churches have embodied compassion by actively engaging with and ministering to those in need.

Roots and Wings: Musical Makeovers for Classic Hymns and Hymn Texts
For dozens of generations, hymns have been the mainstay of worship music. Christians have praised with them, prayed with them . . . and played with them. Good pastoral musicians have always played around with hymn arrangements, seeking creative expression and the best liturgical effect. And of course, texts and tunes are made to mix and match. This playfulness sometimes yields wonderful results (try the text “When I Survey” to the tune o waly waly), and sometimes painfully bad results (ever heard a youth group sing “Amazing Grace” to the tune of the theme from Gilligan’s Island?).

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut
One of the challenges for preachers who have been preaching for some time is that it is much easier to coast, to do less preparation and to simply rely on your experience.

4 Prayer Practices of World-Changing Leaders 

Here are four prayer practices to inspire your prayer rhythms that we learned from these praying leaders

6 Reasons Why Most Church Greeter Ministries Struggle
Church greeter ministries are among the most undervalued ministries in churches today, even though churches of all sizes can have this ministry. Sam and Thom examine six reasons the ministries struggle or fail.

Monday's Catch: '7 Suggestions for Reaching More People this Christmas' And More

7 Suggestions for Reaching More People this Christmas

Is your church ready to roll out the holiday welcome mat? Ann Michel offers seven suggestions for helping people meet Christ anew this Christmas. Equip your congregation so that visitors are warmly welcomed online and in person this holiday season.

Gen Z Might Just be Running Away From Us. Here Are 3 Ways to Change That.
Different generations have different ideas of what empathy looks like. They have different definitions of responsibility, and of maturity. But being able to recognize different forms of empathy, responsibility and maturity requires self-examination—and patience.

Don’t Assume the Pastor’s Wife Will Lead the Women’s Ministry
The church must avoid assigning the pastor’s wife to ministry roles God may not have called her to, gifted her for, or directed her to do.

Choosing the Archbishop of Canterbury
One often reads that the Archbishop of Canterbury is appointed by His Majesty the King, or nominated by the prime minister, or sometimes even elected by the canons of Canterbury Cathedral. Each statement is true in a sense, but in England things are seldom what they seem: when change is effected, outward continuity is often maintained. Older systems remain in place as formalities, masking how things really work. Exactly this has happened with the choosing of archbishops — and diocesan bishops generally.

The little known story of England's first evangelical Queen
The little known story of England's first evangelical Queen. The modern evangelical movement owes a great debt to England's first evangelical queen. This is the story....

Workarounds for the 2019 Anglican Standard Eucharistic Rite: A Guide for Reformational Anglicans
The Book of Common Prayer (2019) took nearly ten years to compile but at the time of its publication it was evident that the book needed substantial revision if it was to serve the diverse group of conservative Anglicans that formed the Anglican Church in North America.

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols
Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

15 Great Christmas Sermon Tips Every Preacher Needs
There’s no shortage of advice for a Christmas sermon — and we need all the help we can get! Peter Mead of BiblicalPreaching.net offers 15 practical suggestions for your Christmas sermon. One or two are sure to fit your needs.

Ten Non-Negotiable Rules for Child Safety in Churches
Child security is one of the most important discipleship issues in the church. We must create robust security measures in our churches, making our campuses internally safe for children, so they can grow to spiritual maturity and become equipped to confront the dangers of evil in the world.

5 simple ways to share Christ this Christmas
Here are 5 simple ways to share Christ this Christmas....

Saturday Lagniappe: 'In Tennessee's evangelical heartland, pastors say Trump's win won't solve America's woes' And More

In Tennessee's evangelical heartland, pastors say Trump's win won't solve America's woes
Evangelicals were the bedrock of Trump’s return to the White House, with some 80% of evangelical voters supporting him. For some Tennessee pastors, that was mostly about the economy — and they hope Trump will lead to lower gas and food prices, but not a revival of Christian power. And they worry about post-election America, which remains polarized.

The slippery slope of unchallenged lies
"Donald Trump is the most voracious liar ever to occupy the Oval Office," writes Mark Wingfield. "And papering over such a torrent of lies has consequences."

Following Matt Gaetz’s Nomination for Attorney General, Some Christians Raise Concerns About Allegations That He Had Sex With and Trafficked a Teen Girl
Among those sounding the alarm is Liberty Counsel, a Christian advocacy group that lobbies for religious freedom.

Mike Pence urges Senate GOP to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary
Former Vice President Mike Pence urged Senate Republicans on Friday to vote against President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, citing his views on abortion.

How will the Catholic bishops deal with the new Trump administration?
A look back at the last one may give us a clue.

9 Things Great Leaders Do
The book of Acts describes the amazing story of Jesus’ work through the Holy Spirit in the early church. With an explosive start, problems were certain to surface. And they did. In the first example of internal dissension the Apostles displayed great leadership. The church had grown so rapidly that some of the widows were being overlooked in the regular distribution of food (Acts 6.1-7). And murmuring began that potentially could fracture the church. However, they lead the church well and model for us 9 things great leaders do.

7 Rules for Great Meetings
Leaders can’t lead without meeting with others. Sometimes meetings go well. Sometimes they don’t. Often team dynamics derail productive meetings simply because someone misspoke or misheard. As I began to realize this, several years ago I asked a psychologist to help me create some rules for talking in our staff meetings. I call them conversational ethics. Here are the 7 rules for great meetings.

How to Stay on Safe Ground in Prayer
Do you have trouble praying? For most of us, the answer is yes. At least in part. Prayer is one of those things in which we are all growing - not one of us prays as fervently or as focused or as long as we would like. This is especially when we read some of the exhortations in the Bible about prayer....

How to Survive Holiday Dinners
How can you make it through a holiday meal without saying something you regret?

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, November 17, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

We are faced with many choices in our lives. Some choices are easy. Others are difficult. Whatever choices we make, they have consequences. Some consequences we may foresee; others may be unforeseen.

In this Sunday’s message we look at one choice which Christians may have to make in the days ahead.

Readings: Daniel 3: 1-30; Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

Message: The Choice

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-november_16.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Friday's Catch: 'Christingle - An Intergenerational Christmas Eve Celebration from the Moravian Tradition' And More

Moravian Christmas Star

Christingle: An Intergenerational Christmas Eve Celebration from the Moravian Tradition 

This Christingle liturgy was developed and used at All Saints Episcopal Church, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. All Saints is a small church with a congregation drawn from many different social and cultural backgrounds. The liturgy here has been adapted as we have learned by experience what works for us.

Also See: Christingle: The Christmas tradition that only got going in the 1960s and Christingle Craft

Sean Rowe wants to realign the Episcopal Church
The presiding bishop was elected on a mandate to reorganize the denomination’s aging structure and adapt to modern times. It’s something he knows a bit about.

PCUSA cuts 12 national staff, restructures ministries amid membership decline
Presbyterian Church (USA) has cut 12 national staff members as part of an effort to reconfigure offices and ministries due to a consiMany of liberalism’s foundational tenets … were inherited from the nation’s rapidly fading Mainline Protestant denominations.derable decline in membership and donations over the years. Last week, the United States' largest Presbyterian denomination announced that it would restructure and streamline various offices and ministries due to considerable decline, resulting in the elimination of over a dozen positions.

Rising secularism isn’t good for democracy, scholar explains
Many of liberalism’s foundational tenets … were inherited from the nation’s rapidly fading Mainline Protestant denominations.

Common Perils and Common Opportunities
Election Day 2024 has come and gone, the votes are in, and a new president-elect has been determined. No matter how you voted, our country will now face common perils and common opportunities. Your response as a faith-based leader to both the perils and the opportunities will set the stage for how your people respond as well.

5 MORE Worship Challenges We Face All the Time
Last week Paul Detterman provided five prominent worship challenges facing the church. Turns out he had five more — perhaps more important than the previous worship challenges.

Also See: 5 Worship Challenges We Face All the Time

He Is Risen: A Manifesto for Leavened Communion Bread
Eucharistic bread was leavened in both the West and the East for most of the Church’s first millennium. The “wafer” is a development of the High Middle Ages. For most of our Church’s post-Reformation history, Anglicans utilized regular leavened bread and only switched to the Roman wafer around the turn of the last century (1900).

It must be noted that only those churches influenced by the Catholic Revival switched to wafers. Evangelical Anglican churches continued to use ordinary table bread, often precut into cubes.

Don't Shortchange Intercession: Why You Need to Prioritize Corporate Prayer
This article is the third in a series on congregational prayer practices. We hope that these articles inspire congregations to correct this imbalance of liturgical priorities, especially as it regards intercessory prayer.

Even Anglican and Episcopal churches could do a better job of particularizing the Prayers of the People.

How to Unleash Small Group Worship
Although everyone would agree worship is an essential part of our spiritual life, many leaders wrestle with how to incorporate it into their group time without it feeling forced or awkward. One of the ways you can “break the ice” is to help your small group members expand their understanding of what small group worship can look like beyond the church service.

Have Salt in Yourselves
...salt has two uses in the Christian life: 1. To aid the believer in acting as an example to the world. 2. To encourage us to persevere in the faith.

The Spiritual Gift Inventory I Believe In
Where you spot a need, consider meeting it. Where you spot a weakness, consider strengthening it. Where you spot an opportunity, consider taking it.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, November 14, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This week, the second week of November, is World Kindness Week, devoted to promoting more kindness throughout the year. World Kindness Week was originally launched by the World Kindness Movement as World Kindness Day, November 13, in 1998 but evolved into World Kindness Week, the week of November 13.

Treating people and animals with kindness has been long standing tenet of the Christian faith and way of life. In this evening’s message we look at the Scriptural basis for this tenet.

Readings: Leviticus 19: 1-34; Romans 13: 8-14, and Matthew 22:34-40

Message: Kindness in the Faith and Life of a Christian

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/11/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_14.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: 'Daniel Im: Challenging Church Models That Are Holding Us Back' And More

Daniel Im: Challenging Church Models That Are Holding Us Back
Daniel Im is the lead pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta, and the author of several books, including most recently, The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything World (NavPress). He was also a featured speaker at the 2024 Amplify Conference for forward-focused church leaders and their teams.

7 Practical Questions to Create Your Best Strategy
Progress and healthy growth require the right changes at the right times.

Leading After the Election
As a leader, what do you want life to be like in post-election America? And specifically, what do you want for your neighborhood and city going forward?

Also See: Maybe you should talk to strangers

Satan’s Game Plan
We actually know a good bit about Satan. More than we think, I expect. His history, his driving force and his game plan are spelled out all through Scripture. We are left with tons of unanswered questions, but we know enough to understand how he works and what to do about him.

False prophets have hijacked the evangelical movement
A group of false prophets, most of them independent Pentecostals, have hijacked the evangelical movement.

Christians who don’t think much of Jesus
Many who say they are Christians do not pay much attention to the faith described in the New Testament.

What now for the Anglican Communion?
Besides needing to pick a new leader, the Church of England has an urgent need to show in short order that it can respond to abuse.

See also: Gafcon responds to the resignation of Archbishop Welby

What Justin Welby’s Resignation Can Teach Evangelicals
The scandal...is now widely recognized as the worst abuse case in the history of the Church of England. Further revelations have ultimately led to the resignation this week of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby—the most senior leader in the global Anglican Communion. The church might never have revealed this scandal if it had been left to its own devices by the world.

Seven Characteristics of Excellent Worship Leaders That Are Often Forgotten: An Interview with Mike Harland
A good worship leader can make an incredible difference in a church. A not-so-good worship leader can really mess things up. Jess and Thom interview Mike Harland to dive deeply into seven characteristics of excellent worship leaders that are often not at the forefront of discussion.

7 Reasons Why You Should Have a Video Testimony
I’m writing today’s post to encourage believers to audio or video record your Christian testimony for others. Given the technology available today, any of us can do a video testimony. Here’s why we should....

Wednesday's Catch: 'World Kindness Day: 4 Simple Ways to Connect Through Kindness' And More

World Kindness Day: 4 Simple Ways to Connect Through Kindness

Every November 13th, the world joins together to celebrate World Kindness Day—a global reminder of how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect that strengthens our connections to one another.

5 Cultural Norms That Threaten to Crush the Church
What if the biggest threats to the church weren’t the things we thought they were? What if the very foundation of our country’s culture actually resembles the culture of our churches? We may find that we’ve been blind to more subtle and subversive influences that are having a greater impact on the church than the issues that consume us. Many overlooked cultural norms are contrary to and sinful within the Kingdom of God, unknowingly supported by many of us.

Fake nostalgia and skillful propaganda got us here — but there's hope on the other side
Any public voice who suggests that everything is going to be fine and that panic or despair are unwarranted should not be taken seriously. That is projection and self-soothing behavior.

Memes claiming that a second Trump presidency will be a golden age for Americans are already circulating on social media.

Justin Welby Resigns as Head of Church of England Following Damning Report on Sex Abuse Cover-Up
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned from his position as the head of the Church of England following the publication of an independent review that determined he knew of abuse allegations against a church volunteer and failed to adequately investigate and report them.

Also See: Church of England head Justin Welby resigns over handling of sex abuse scandal

Catholic bishops say they will defend migrants if Trump violates rights
At their annual meeting in Baltimore, the bishops' chair on immigration said, 'This is going to be a test for our nation. Are we in fact a nation based on law, on the most fundamental laws about the rights of the human person?'

BGCT tells Kevin Ezell no on 2000 Baptist Faith and Message
Kevin Ezell attempted to force Texas Baptists to adopt the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message or lose church planting partnerships with the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. Texas Baptists overwhelmingly said they would not do it.

8 Steps for Planning a Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Dementia caregiving is an arduous, emotionally taxing journey filled with constant challenges and a profound sense of responsibility. A support group can provide a sanctuary where caregivers can share their experiences and emotions, finding solace and companionship in a community that comprehends their struggles. Mary McDaniel Cail outlines eight essential steps to help your church create an effective group for those caring for loved ones with dementia.

What Was Arianism?
What was Arianism? Here is a primer on late fourth-century Arianism through the writings of Eunomius of Cyzicus, who might have been the most influential Arian of his era.

A surprising number of US Christians subscribe to an Arian view of Jesus, according to the Lifeway Research-Ligonier Ministries survey of the state of theology in the United States.

Jesus Claimed to Be God by Allowing His Disciples to Do Something Shocking 

"Did Jesus claim to be God? Christians say yes, but skeptics argue Jesus never claimed this. Who did Jesus believe he was? What claims did he make about his identity? Can we make a definitive case that Jesus believed he was God?" Robby Lashua thinks we can.

Why Liturgy Matters
Liturgy is all the rage—or it’s not considered at all. In this episode of The Everyday Pastor, Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan discuss the importance of a deliberate order of service, or liturgy, for Sunday worship. God summons us into his presence by his Word, and we respond by his grace. But what does this mean practically for what you do—and don’t—include in your Sunday services?

Even those who plan services of public worship in churches that use a set order of service need to give thought to what to include in a service and what to leave out. Many orders of service in both the newer and older Anglican and Episcopal service books contain redundant elements. A number of orders of service would benefit from being scaled down.

Worship And The Impossible
What role does worship have in seeing the impossible happen in people? Could it be we’ve underestimated what is going on in the room?

9 Ways to Prepare Your Heart for the End of the Year
There’s no better time to evaluate your heart before God. Look at your heart posture before the hustle and bustle at the end of the year.

Lesslie Newbigin and His Influence on Contemporary Missions in Western Culture
In the scope of the 20th century, Lesslie Newbigin is one the most profound and influential thinkers with regard to the gospel and modern Western culture. One would be hard-pressed to find a voice for contemporary missions who has not been influenced in some way by Newbigin.